Alternative Pest Control – Safer Methods You Can Use
There is a lot of concern about the environment that leads people to try alternative pest control. There is good reason for this because many of the chemicals we use are dangerous. You can take steps today to use methods that are better all around and get great results in the garden.
Some of these methods are easier to use than others, so keep in mind the amount of time and money that you have to spend on your gardening. No matter which method you choose you can rest assured that you’re doing the right thing!
The absolute cheapest but most time consuming way is to take the pests off by hand. Obviously this works best for larger pests. A good spray of water will also knock many of them off.
You can also structure your garden in a way that is uninviting for pests. Think in advance about where they might live or come from. You can erect barriers or find out where they are living and hamper their access to your precious plants.
A special trick that many top gardeners use is to place a bowl of water in the garden (or several of them). The water will attract some of the predatory insects that will leave your plants alone but feed on the pests.
You can even try mixing your own alternative pest control. Try a mixture of 1 part liquid soap and a cup of vegetable oil. This works especially well on aphids.
If you’re about to start a new garden or are ready for a complete and “pest free” makeover you might consider organic soil. Not only will your plants grow better but they’ll be able to withstand pests a lot more easily. You can use the compost from your compost pile to create a healthier growing situation as well.
If you want to save time but still control pests organically you can invest in a natural pest control product.
One thing you might want to look into is getting species of plants that aren’t prone to getting pests. Plants that are more natural to your area will have less of a problem because they’ve developed defenses over time. Check with your local gardening center for tips on which to choose from.
Alternative pest control is a great way to protect yourself and the environment. There are a wide range of different ways that you can take advantage of more organic methods.
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